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Elizabeth II HAS REIGNED in a world moving swiftly through political shifts, cultural change and technological advances. Traditional institutions of law, religion and politics have suffered loss of ...

Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born at 17 Bruton Street, London on 21 April 1926. A happy childhood was spent with her parents, the Duke and Duchess of York, and younger sister Margaret Rose. ...

Edward VIII (1936) Edward, Prince of Wales, eldest son of George V and Queen Mary, was known to the family as 'David'. Charming and informal, he was a popular prince, touring Britain and the empire, ...

When Queen Victoria died in 1901, she left three generations of heirs. They, it was expected, would reign as monarchs of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. In fact, the name survived only 16 years. In ...

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West Ham was recorded as Hamme in 958 which signifies that this and East Ham were then only one geographical location and it was not until 1186 that the name Westhamma was recorded. The name is derived from the Old English hamm, a water meadow referring to the low-lying riverside meadow near the bend of the Thames. (See also East Ham.)

Westbourne Park was recorded as Westburn in 1222 and is derived from the Old English westan and burnam, 'place'- means the place west of the stream'. Paddington was the sister village on the east bank. The road here was an ancient lane winding through the old Westbourne Farm. The Green was recorded in 1680 hence the Park, now a road.

Wembley Central was recorded as Wemba lea in 825 and the name is derived from the personal name Wemba and the Old English leah, 'forest clearing' - and means 'the clearing where Wemba lived'. This name may be a nickname or could be taken from Wemba, the name of a Gothic King. It has had various spellings until recorded as Wembley in 1535.

Waterloo was named in commemoration of the Battle of Waterloo (1815). The name was also given to the new bridge over the River Thames (originally called Strand Bridge) which was opened by the Prince Regent on 18 June 1817, the second anniversary of the Battle.